EP3917439B1 - Lastausgleichsarm für ein stützsystem eines medizinprodukts - Google Patents

Lastausgleichsarm für ein stützsystem eines medizinprodukts Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3917439B1
EP3917439B1 EP19835337.7A EP19835337A EP3917439B1 EP 3917439 B1 EP3917439 B1 EP 3917439B1 EP 19835337 A EP19835337 A EP 19835337A EP 3917439 B1 EP3917439 B1 EP 3917439B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pivot axis
arm
load balancing
adjustable
load
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Active
Application number
EP19835337.7A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3917439A1 (de
Inventor
Jerime Pichler
Nicholas Grant PUTERBAUGH
Robert Craig Allen
Lance Clark Bellows
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
American Sterilizer Co
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American Sterilizer Co
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Publication of EP3917439A1 publication Critical patent/EP3917439A1/de
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/50—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/30—Devices for illuminating a surgical field, the devices having an interrelation with other surgical devices or with a surgical procedure
    • A61B90/35—Supports therefor
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C35/00—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers
    • F16C35/04—Rigid support of bearing units; Housings, e.g. caps, covers in the case of ball or roller bearings
    • F16C35/042—Housings for rolling element bearings for rotary movement
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/02—Heads
    • F16M11/04—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand
    • F16M11/06—Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/2007—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment
    • F16M11/2014—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing pivoting adjustment around a vertical axis
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/2092—Undercarriages with or without wheels comprising means allowing depth adjustment, i.e. forward-backward translation of the head relatively to the undercarriage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M11/00—Stands or trestles as supports for apparatus or articles placed thereon ; Stands for scientific apparatus such as gravitational force meters
    • F16M11/20—Undercarriages with or without wheels
    • F16M11/24—Undercarriages with or without wheels changeable in height or length of legs, also for transport only, e.g. by means of tubes screwed into each other
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
    • F16M13/02—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
    • F16M13/022—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle repositionable
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M13/00—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles
    • F16M13/02—Other supports for positioning apparatus or articles; Means for steadying hand-held apparatus or articles for supporting on, or attaching to, an object, e.g. tree, gate, window-frame, cycle
    • F16M13/027—Ceiling supports
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B34/00—Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
    • A61B34/70—Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
    • A61B34/71—Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
    • A61B2034/715—Cable tensioning mechanisms for removing slack
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/50—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
    • A61B2090/5025—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms with a counter-balancing mechanism
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/50—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
    • A61B2090/506—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms using a parallelogram linkage, e.g. panthograph
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B90/00—Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
    • A61B90/50—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms
    • A61B2090/508—Supports for surgical instruments, e.g. articulated arms with releasable brake mechanisms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B34/00—Computer-aided surgery; Manipulators or robots specially adapted for use in surgery
    • A61B34/70—Manipulators specially adapted for use in surgery
    • A61B34/71—Manipulators operated by drive cable mechanisms
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B50/00—Containers, covers, furniture or holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments, e.g. sterile covers
    • A61B50/20—Holders specially adapted for surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments
    • A61B50/24—Stands
    • A61B50/28—Stands suspended from the ceiling
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16C—SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C11/00—Pivots; Pivotal connections
    • F16C11/04—Pivotal connections
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16D—COUPLINGS FOR TRANSMITTING ROTATION; CLUTCHES; BRAKES
    • F16D65/00—Parts or details
    • F16D65/02—Braking members; Mounting thereof
    • F16D65/04—Bands, shoes or pads; Pivots or supporting members therefor
    • F16D65/06—Bands, shoes or pads; Pivots or supporting members therefor for externally-engaging brakes
    • F16D65/065—Brake bands
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/02—Locking means
    • F16M2200/021—Locking means for rotational movement
    • F16M2200/022—Locking means for rotational movement by friction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/04—Balancing means
    • F16M2200/041—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the head
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/04—Balancing means
    • F16M2200/044—Balancing means for balancing rotational movement of the undercarriage
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/06—Arms
    • F16M2200/063—Parallelogram arms
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/06—Arms
    • F16M2200/065—Arms with a special structure, e.g. reinforced or adapted for space reduction
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16M—FRAMES, CASINGS OR BEDS OF ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS, NOT SPECIFIC TO ENGINES, MACHINES OR APPARATUS PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; STANDS; SUPPORTS
    • F16M2200/00—Details of stands or supports
    • F16M2200/06—Arms
    • F16M2200/066—Arms being part of the head

Definitions

  • This application relates generally to a load balancing arm for a medical device support system or carry system for use in, for example, a hospital examination room, a clinic, a surgery room or an emergency room, and more particularly to a load balancing arm that improves force transmission and reduces spring travel.
  • Medical device support systems are used in health treatment settings such as hospital examination rooms, clinics, surgery rooms and emergency rooms. These systems may suspend or support any variety of medical devices or components including surgical lights, supply consoles, patient monitors, camera detector heads, medical instruments, ventilator systems, suction devices, among others.
  • the support systems typically include a central shaft or support column that is suspended from the ceiling or mounted to a wall, one or more generally horizontal extension arms mounted for rotational movement about the shaft, and one or more load balancing arms, also known as counterbalancing arms, that enable positioning of a medical device to a proper orientation relative to for example a patient operating table and healthcare professionals in the operating room.
  • the extension arms and load balancing arms each include a support arm structure or housing, or more generally a support arm.
  • WO 03/025453 A1 relates to a surgical theater system that includes a boom rotating about a hub and coupled to a counterbalance arm assembly having a counterbalance arm and a monitor mount assembly configured to permit a monitor or other device to be positioned horizontally and vertically within a surgical suite and maintain the vertical elevation selected.
  • US 5 826 846 A relates to a monitor arm that includes a mounting assembly adapted to be coupled to a support structure and a parallelogram mechanism coupled to the mounting assembly.
  • WO 01/45627 A1 relates to a surgical theater system that includes a central hub mounted to a ceiling of a surgical theater.
  • load balancing arms in some medical device support systems or carry systems, there remain various shortcomings, drawbacks, and disadvantages relative to certain applications.
  • current support systems typically utilize load balancing arms having a coil spring with a link running through the center.
  • the link is attached to a relatively shorter link via a hinge near a proximal end of the load balancing arm.
  • the shorter link is then attached to the proximal hub.
  • Most load balancing arms have a relatively short link that either hinges toward the proximal end of the balancing arm structure or attaches to the proximal end of the spring.
  • the inventors have found that a short link is not optimal for the transmission of the balancing force, which is typically provided by a counterbalancing spring.
  • the application relates to a load balancing arm for a medical device support system, in which a link connects at its proximal end to an adjustment bearing element and at its distal end to a distal end of a counterbalancing member such as a spring.
  • a link connects at its proximal end to an adjustment bearing element and at its distal end to a distal end of a counterbalancing member such as a spring.
  • the inventors have found that the attachment at the distal end of the spring allows for a relatively longer link than if connected to the proximal end of the spring, and that this longer link allows for a better force transmission and less spring travel resulting in a more balanced load balancing arm throughout the pivotable range of travel of the arm.
  • a load balancing arm for a medical device support system includes a proximal hub including a main bearing element defining a main pivot axis; an adjustable bearing element defining an adjustable pivot axis, wherein the adjustable pivot axis is adjustable relative to the main pivot axis; a support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to support a medical device load and the proximal end is pivotably mounted to the main bearing element for pivotable movement about the main pivot axis; a spring extending within a cavity of the support arm and mounted to exert a biasing force between the main pivot axis and a distal end of the spring; and, at least one link having a proximal end pivotably mounted to the adjustable bearing element for pivotable movement about the adjustable pivot axis, and a distal end pivotably mounted to the distal end of the spring such that the biasing force exerted by the spring is transmitted through the link to the adjustable bearing element thereby
  • Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.
  • the distal end of the link may be pivotably mounted to the distal end of the spring via a carriage slide that is slidable relative to the support arm.
  • the carriage slide may be slidable within at least one groove in the support arm.
  • the groove may be oriented along an axis that extends radially from and perpendicular to the main pivot axis.
  • the spring may be a gas spring having a cylinder and a rod, and the rod may be pivotably mounted to the distal end of the at least one link.
  • the at least one link may include a pair of links that straddle the spring on laterally opposite sides of the spring.
  • the support arm may include an intermediate portion between the proximal end and distal end of the support arm, and the intermediate portion may have a relatively narrower height span than the proximal end of the support arm, and the at least one link may have at least one bend that corresponds to the difference in height span between the intermediate portion and the proximal end of the support arm.
  • the load balancing arm may further include a load adjustment screw
  • the adjustable bearing element may include a load adjustment nut that threadably engages the load adjustment screw to adjust the adjustable pivot axis relative to the main pivot axis.
  • the load adjustment screw may be vertically oriented in the proximal hub and may be rotatably mounted at at least one end for rotation about its own central axis, and the load adjustment nut may be configured to move in the vertical direction as the adjustment screw is rotated, and the vertical movement of the load adjustment nut may adjust the adjustable pivot axis relative to the main pivot axis.
  • the adjustable bearing element may include a pin that is carried by the load adjustment nut and the proximal end of the link may be pivotably mounted to the pin.
  • the adjustable pivot axis may be adjustable between upper and lower abutment contacts defined by the proximal hub, and the lower abutment contact may be above a diameter of the pin.
  • the at least one link may include a pair of links, and the pair of links may be pivotably mounted to the pin.
  • the main bearing element may include a pair of pins, and the proximal end of the support arm may include a pair of laterally spaced protrusions that are pivotably mounted to the respective pins to raise and lower the height of the medical device load at the distal end of the support arm.
  • the proximal end of the at least one link may be pivotably mounted to the adjustable bearing element.
  • the adjustable pivot axis may be adjustable relative to the main pivot axis over a range of adjustment, and the adjustable bearing element and the proximal end of the at least one link may be movable between the pair of pins over at least a portion of the range of adjustment.
  • the at least one link may include a pair of links, and the proximal ends of the respective pair of links may be pivotably mounted to the adjustable bearing element.
  • the adjustable pivot axis may be adjustable relative to the main pivot axis over a range of adjustment, and the adjustable bearing element and the proximal ends of the respective pair of links may be movable between the pair of pins over at least a portion of the range of adjustment.
  • the support arm may have an angle of rotation about the main pivot axis of about 30 degrees upward from horizontal to about 85 degrees downward from horizontal.
  • the adjustable pivot axis may be horizontally offset from the main pivot axis in a direction toward an axis of rotation of the load balancing arm.
  • the load balancing arm may further include a parallel link that is pivotably connected at its proximal end to a pin supported by the proximal hub and at its distal end to a pin supported by a distal hub pivotably connected to the distal end of the support arm.
  • the parallel link may include a pair of laterally spaced side walls that straddle a vertically lower portion of the spring on laterally opposite sides of the spring.
  • the parallel link may include a pair of laterally spaced side walls that straddle the at least one link on laterally opposite sides of the at least one link over at least a portion of a pivotable range of the load adjustment arm.
  • a medical device support system comprises a central shaft; an extension arm mounted to the central shaft for rotational movement about the shaft; and a load balancing arm including: a proximal hub including a main bearing element defining a main pivot axis; a counterbalancing bearing element defining a counterbalancing pivot axis; a support arm having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is configured to support a medical device load and the proximal end is pivotably mounted to the main bearing element for pivotable movement about the main pivot axis; a spring extending within a cavity of the support arm and mounted to exert a biasing force between the main pivot axis and a distal end of the spring; and at least one link having a proximal end pivotably mounted to the counterbalancing bearing element for pivotable movement about the counterbalancing pivot axis, and a distal end pivotably mounted to the distal end of the spring such that the biasing force exerted by the spring
  • Embodiments of the invention may include one or more of the following additional features separately or in combination.
  • the counterbalancing bearing element may be an adjustable bearing element, and the counterbalancing pivot axis may be adjustable relative to the main pivot axis.
  • Fig. 1 shows a medical device support system 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the medical device support system 10 includes a central shaft or support column 14 that is suspended from the ceiling, and three generally horizontal extension arms 16 mounted to the shaft 14 for rotational movement about the shaft 14.
  • the central shaft 14 could be mounted to a wall or stand rather than the ceiling.
  • Three load balancing arms 18, which are also referred to as counterbalancing arms, are mounted to the respective extension arms 16.
  • the extension arms 16 and load balancing arms 18 each include a support arm structure or housing, or more generally a support arm.
  • a proximal hub 22 of the load balancing arm 18 includes a support structure 24, for example the illustrative drop tube 24, that is rotatably connectable to a receptacle at the distal end 30 of the extension arm 16.
  • the distal end of each load balancing arm 18 is configured with a suitable support hub 34 to support a medical device load 36.
  • the medical device load 36 may include a surgical light as shown, or a supply console, a patient monitor, a camera detector head, a medical instrument, a ventilator system, a suction device, among others.
  • a control console if provided, may provide controls for navigation of a medical instrument that is either coupled to or remote from the load balancing arm 18.
  • the load balancing arm 18 enables positioning of the medical device 36 to a proper orientation relative to for example a patient operating table and healthcare professionals in the operating room.
  • the load balancing arm 100 includes a proximal hub 104, an adjustable bearing element 108, a support arm 110, a spring 116, and one or more links, two such links 124, 126 in the illustrative embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3 and 12 .
  • the proximal hub 104 may include a support structure 24 such as the drop tube 24 (see Fig. 1 ).
  • the proximal hub 104 includes a main bearing element 130 that defines a main pivot axis 132.
  • the adjustable bearing element 108 defines an adjustable pivot axis 142 that is adjustable relative to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the support arm 110 has a proximal end 150 and a distal end 152.
  • the distal end 152 is configured to support a medical device load 36 (see Fig. 1 ) and the proximal end 150 is pivotably mounted to the main bearing element 130 for pivotable movement about the main pivot axis 132. Pivotable movement about the main pivot axis 132 raises and lowers the height of the medical device load 36 at the distal end 152.
  • the spring 116 extends within a cavity 154 of the support arm 110 and is mounted to exert a biasing force between the main pivot axis 132 and a distal end 158 of the spring 116.
  • the links 124, 126 each have a proximal end 160 and a distal end 162.
  • the proximal end 160 is pivotably mounted to the adjustable bearing element 108 for pivotable movement about the adjustable pivot axis 142.
  • the distal ends 162 of the links 124, 126 are pivotably mounted to the distal end 158 of the spring 116 such that the biasing force exerted by the spring 116 is transmitted through the links 124, 126 to the adjustable bearing element 108 thereby to generate a moment about the main pivot axis 132 of the proximal hub 104 that counters a moment generated by the medical device load 36 at the distal end 152 of the support arm 110, thereby balancing the medical device load 36.
  • the links 124, 126 connect at their proximal ends 160 to an adjustment bearing element 108 and at their distal ends 162 to the distal end 158 of the spring 116.
  • the attachment at the distal end 158 of the spring 116 allows for a relatively longer link than if connected to the proximal end of the spring 116. The inventors have found that this allows for a better force transmission and less spring travel resulting in a more balanced load balancing arm 100 throughout the pivotable range of travel of the arm 100.
  • Figs. 2-6 and 15-20 show greater detail of the support arm 110, the proximal hub 104, and the interface between the support arm 110 and proximal hub 104.
  • the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 has a relatively smaller width than the proximal hub 104 and fits within the proximal hub 104.
  • the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 includes a pair of vertically oriented laterally spaced protrusions or tongue portions 170 and a circular portion 178 substantially surrounding the tongue portions 170. As shown in Figs.
  • the proximal hub 104 includes a mounting surface 184 for mounting the proximal hub 104 and thus the load balancing arm 100 to, for example, the distal end of an extension arm 16.
  • the proximal hub 104 includes a pair of vertically oriented side walls 188 alongside which the tongue portions 170 of the support arm 110 slide during adjusting of the support arm 110.
  • the side walls 188 have a circular shape that corresponds in diameter to the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110.
  • the proximal hub 104 also includes a load adjustment base 196 that extends width-wise between the pair of vertically oriented side walls 188 and that, as shown in Figs. 15-20 , extends vertically downward from a location just below the vertically uppermost portion of the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 downward approximately three fourths the distance across the circular portion 178. Details of one example of the load adjustment base 196 are shown in Figs. 9 , 10 , 12-14 and 18-20 . As shown in Fig. 10 , the load adjustment base 196 may be fastened to the side walls 188 by fasteners 198. As shown in Figs.
  • the load adjustment base 196 has a pair of laterally spaced flanges 204 that are recessed inward from the outer width of the load adjustment base 196. Referring to Fig. 9 , the recessed flanges 204 form respective gaps 210 with the side walls 188 within which the tongue portions 170 of the support arm 110 are received. As shown in Figs. 9 , 12 and 18-20 , the tongue portions 170 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 have through holes 236 and the main bearing element 130 of the proximal hub 104 includes a pair of laterally spaced pins 240. The central axis of these pins 240 defines or coincides with the main pivot axis 132. The through holes 236 receive the pins 240 thereby to pivotably mount the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 to the main bearing element 130 of the proximal hub 104 for pivotable movement of the support arm 110 about the main pivot axis 132.
  • bushings 244 are provided on the pins 240 to promote smooth pivotable operation and serviceability. As shown in Figs. 8 , 10 and 12 , the pins 240 are fixedly connected, for example by welding, to a retainer plate 252, which, in turn, is fastened to the side walls 188 of the proximal hub 104 by fasteners 258.
  • a load adjustment screw 280 is rotatably mounted in a bottom wall 284 of the load adjustment base 196.
  • the load adjustment screw 280 is fixed in a vertical orientation in the proximal hub 104 and rotates about its own central axis 290.
  • the axis 290 of the load adjustment screw 280 is parallel to an axis 296 of rotation of the load balancing arm 100 extending centrally through the support structure 24 and perpendicular to horizontal. As shown in Figs.
  • the adjustable bearing element 108 includes a load adjustment nut 310 that threadably engages the load adjustment screw 280 to adjust the adjustable pivot axis 142 relative to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the load adjustment nut 310 moves in the vertical direction as the load adjustment screw 280 is rotated, which vertical movement adjusts the adjustable pivot axis 142 relative to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the adjustable bearing element 108 includes a pin 324 that is carried by the load adjustment nut 310.
  • the central axis of the pin 324 defines or coincides with the adjustable pivot axis 142.
  • the proximal ends 160 of the links 124, 126 are pivotably mounted to the pin 324 at respective opposite ends of the pin 324.
  • the adjustable pivot axis 142 is adjustable relative to the main pivot axis 132 over a range of adjustment 330, defined in the illustrative embodiment by the uppermost and lowermost vertical position of the load adjustment nut 310.
  • the vertical movement of the load adjustment nut 310 adjusts the load capacity of the load balancing arm 100.
  • the distance between the adjustable pivot axis 142 of the pin 324 and the main pivot axis 132 of the proximal hub 104 provides the mechanical advantage, or moment, that allows the load balancing arm 100 to balance a medical device load 36 at the distal end 152 of the arm 100.
  • the laterally spaced pins 240 split the main pivot axis 132 thereby enabling the adjustable bearing element 108 to be moved vertically across the main pivot axis 132 into a position between the laterally spaced pins 240. Accordingly, the adjustable bearing element 108 and the proximal ends 160 of the respective pair of links 124, 126 are movable between the pair of pins 240 over a portion of the range of adjustment 330. As will be appreciated, this provides greater adjustment range in the proximal ends 160 of the links 124, 126 pivotably mounted to the pin 324 of the adjustable bearing element 108 than if the pins 240 were a single pin member and the main pivot axis 132 was not split.
  • the split main pivot axis 132 i.e. laterally spaced pins 240, also enables the proximal ends 160 of the links 124, 126 to move between the pins 240 for example when the load balancing arm 100 is pivoted to lower positions.
  • the adjustable pivot axis 142 of the adjustable bearing element 108 is horizontally offset from the main pivot axis 132 of the main bearing element 130 in a direction toward the portion of the proximal hub 104 that includes the support structure 24, in the illustrative embodiment toward the axis 296 of rotation of the load balancing arm 100 extending centrally through the support structure 24 and perpendicular to horizontal.
  • the offset is the gap between the plane 9-9 and the axis 290. This offset allows for better balancing of the spring arm when a lighthead or other medical device is attached.
  • the support arm 110 includes an intermediate portion 340 between the proximal end 150 and distal end 152 of the support arm 110.
  • the intermediate portion 340 has a relatively narrower height span than the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110.
  • the links 124, 126 (only link 124 is in view in Figs. 15-17 ) have at least one bend that corresponds to the difference in height span between the intermediate portion 340 and the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110.
  • the links 124, 126 have one bend and consequently have a J-shape in side view.
  • the bend in the links 124, 126 aids in the load balancing arm 100 having a smaller size and lower overall cross section profile than if the links 124, 126 were straight.
  • the smaller size and lower overall cross section profile make the load balancing arm 100 less obstructive in the operating room and improve the laminar airflow around the surface of the load balancing arm 100.
  • the distal ends 162 of the links 124, 126 are pivotably mounted to the distal end 158 of the spring 116 via a carriage slide 364 that is slidable relative to the support arm 110.
  • the pivotable connection may be facilitated by, for example, a pin 360 mounted within the carriage slide 384.
  • the carriage slide 364 is slidable within at least one groove 368 in the support arm 110, wherein in the illustrative embodiment there are two such grooves 368 at laterally opposite sides of the support arm 110.
  • the grooves 368 are oriented along an axis that extends radially from and perpendicular to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the grooves 368 are formed by parallel ribs 370 in the inward facing walls of the support arm 110.
  • the ribs 370 along with a box shape member in the lower portion of the support arm 110, also serve as stiffening members.
  • the spring 116 of the load balancing arm 100 may be any type of counterbalancing member, and in the illustrative embodiment is a compression gas spring 116. Like the grooves 368, the spring 116 is oriented along an axis that extends radially from and perpendicular to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the spring 116 has a cylinder 384 and a rod 388. Referring to Figs. 11 , 12 and 15-17 , the cylinder 384 has a proximal end wall 390 that is coupled to a vertical beam 392 of the support arm 110. As shown in Fig.
  • the vertical beam 392 extends from a top wall 406 to a bottom wall 408 of the support arm 110 and is sufficiently narrow that the links 124, 126 straddle the vertical beam 392 on opposite lateral sides thereof throughout the pivotable range of the load balancing arm 100.
  • the proximal end wall 390 of the cylinder 384 may be coupled to the vertical beam 392 in any suitable manner, for example as by a protrusion 418, shown in Fig. 12 , that fits within an opening 420 in the vertical beam 392, shown in Fig. 11 .
  • the rod 388 is pivotably mounted to the distal ends 162 of the links 124, 126 via the pin 360 of the afore described carriage slide 364. In operation, the links 124, 126 straddle the spring 116 on laterally opposite sides of the spring 116 throughout the pivotable range of the load balancing arm 100.
  • Figs. 15-17 show the load balancing arm 100 in three different vertical positions
  • Figs. 18-20 show the links 124, 126 and the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 relative to the proximal hub 104 in the three respective vertical positions.
  • the links 124, 126 are shown adjusted to their maximum height in Figs. 15-20 , thereby maximizing the moment, or mechanical advantage, of the load balancing arm 100.
  • the support arm 110 is in a substantially horizontal position.
  • Figs. 16 and 19 the support arm 110 is shown pivoted about the main pivot axis 132 about 30 degrees upward relative to horizontal.
  • Figs. 15-17 show the load balancing arm 100 in three different vertical positions
  • Figs. 18-20 show the links 124, 126 and the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 relative to the proximal hub 104 in the three respective vertical positions.
  • the links 124, 126 are shown adjusted to their maximum height in Figs. 15-20 , thereby maximizing the moment
  • the support arm 110 is shown pivoted about the main pivot axis 132 about 85 degrees downward from horizontal. As will be appreciated, then, the support arm 110 has an angle of rotation about the main pivot axis 132 of about 30 degrees upward from horizontal to about 85 degrees downward from horizontal.
  • Figs. 21-38 show a load balancing arm 500 according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • the load balancing arm 500 is in many respects similar to the above-referenced load balancing arm 100, and consequently the same reference numerals are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the load balancing arm 100.
  • the foregoing description of the load balancing arm 100 is equally applicable to the load balancing arm 500 except as noted below.
  • aspects of the load balancing arms 100, 500 may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable.
  • the load balancing arm 500 includes a proximal hub 104, an adjustable bearing element 108, a support arm 110, a spring 116, and one or more links, two such links 124, 126 in the illustrative embodiment, as shown in Figs. 21-22 and 31-32 .
  • the load balancing arm 500 also includes a distal hub 510 shown in Figs. 21 , 23-25 , 28 and 37-38, a parallel link 520 shown in Figs. 22 , 25 , 27-32 and 34-38 , and a load adjustment base 530 shown in Figs.
  • the proximal hub 104 may include a support structure 24 such as the drop tube 24 (see Fig. 1 ).
  • the proximal hub 104 includes a main bearing element 130 that defines a main pivot axis 132.
  • the adjustable bearing element 108 defines an adjustable pivot axis 142 that is adjustable relative to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the support arm 110 has a proximal end 150 and a distal end 152.
  • the distal end 152 is pivotably mounted to the distal hub 510, which, in turn, is configured to support a medical device load 36 (see Fig. 1 ).
  • the proximal end 150 is pivotably mounted to the main bearing element 130 for pivotable movement about the main pivot axis 132. The pivotable movement raises and lowers the height of the medical device load 36 at the distal end 152.
  • the spring 116 extends within a cavity 154 of the support arm 110 and is mounted to exert a biasing force between the main pivot axis 132 and a distal end 158 of the spring 116.
  • the links 124, 126 each have a proximal end 160 and a distal end 162.
  • the proximal end 160 is pivotably mounted to the adjustable bearing element 108 for pivotable movement about the adjustable pivot axis 142.
  • the distal ends 162 of the links 124, 126 are pivotably mounted to the distal end 158 of the spring 116 such that the biasing force exerted by the spring 116 is transmitted through the links 124, 126 to the adjustable bearing element 108 thereby to generate a moment about the main pivot axis 132 of the proximal hub 104 that counters a moment generated by the medical device load 36 at the distal end 152 of the support arm 110, thereby balancing the medical device load 36.
  • the links 124, 126 connect at their proximal ends 160 to an adjustment bearing element 108 and at their distal ends 162 to the distal end 158 of the spring 116.
  • the attachment at the distal end 158 of the spring 116 allows for a relatively longer link than if connected to the proximal end of the spring 116. The inventors have found that this allows for a better force transmission and less spring travel resulting in a more balanced load balancing arm 500 throughout the pivotable range of travel of the arm 500.
  • Figs. 21-27 , 31 and 34-36 show greater detail of the support arm 110, the proximal hub 104, and the interface between the support arm 110 and proximal hub 104.
  • the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 has a relatively smaller width than the proximal hub 104 and fits within the proximal hub 104.
  • the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 includes a pair of vertically oriented laterally spaced protrusions or tongue portions 170 and a circular portion 178 substantially surrounding the tongue portions 170. As shown in Figs.
  • the proximal hub 104 includes a mounting surface 184 for mounting the proximal hub 104 and thus the load balancing arm 100 to, for example, the distal end of an extension arm 16.
  • the proximal hub 104 includes a pair of vertically oriented side walls 188 alongside which the tongue portions 170 of the support arm 110 slide during adjusting of the support arm 110.
  • the side walls 188 have a circular shape that corresponds in diameter to the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110.
  • the proximal hub 104 also includes a load adjustment base 530 that extends width-wise between the pair of vertically oriented side walls 188 and that, as shown in Figs. 22 , 27 and 34-36 extends vertically downward from a location just below the vertically uppermost portion of the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 downward approximately three fourths the distance across the circular portion 178.
  • a load adjustment base 530 Details of one example of the load adjustment base 530 are shown in Figs. 22 , 24-27 and 31-36 .
  • the load adjustment base 530 may be fastened to the side walls 188 by fasteners 198. As shown in Figs.
  • the load adjustment base 530 has a pair of laterally spaced flanges 204 that are recessed inward from the outer width of the load adjustment base 530.
  • the recessed flanges 204 form respective gaps 210 with the side walls 188 within which the tongue portions 170 of the support arm 110 are received.
  • the tongue portions 170 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 have through holes 236 and the main bearing element 130 of the proximal hub 104 includes a pair of laterally spaced pins 240.
  • the central axis of these pins 240 defines or coincides with the main pivot axis 132.
  • the through holes 236 receive the pins 240 thereby to pivotably mount the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110 to the main bearing element 130 of the proximal hub 104 for pivotable movement of the support arm 110 about the main pivot axis 132.
  • bushings 244 are provided on the pins 240 to promote smooth pivotable operation and serviceability. As shown in Figs. 23 , 26 and 31 , the pins 240 are fixedly connected, for example by welding, to a retainer plate 252, which, in turn, is fastened to the side walls 188 of the proximal hub 104 by fasteners 258.
  • a load adjustment screw 280 is rotatably mounted in a bottom wall 284 of the load adjustment base 530.
  • the load adjustment screw 280 is fixed in a vertical orientation in the proximal hub 104 and rotates about its own central axis 290.
  • the axis 290 of the load adjustment screw 280 is parallel to an axis 296 of rotation of the load balancing arm 500 extending centrally through the support structure 24 and perpendicular to horizontal. As shown in Figs.
  • the adjustable bearing element 108 includes a load adjustment nut 310 that threadably engages the load adjustment screw 280 to adjust the adjustable pivot axis 142 relative to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the load adjustment nut 310 moves in the vertical direction as the load adjustment screw 280 is rotated, which vertical movement adjusts the adjustable pivot axis 142 relative to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the adjustable bearing element 108 includes a pin 324 that is carried by the load adjustment nut 310.
  • the central axis of the pin 324 defines or coincides with the adjustable pivot axis 142.
  • the proximal ends 160 of the links 124, 126 are pivotably mounted to the pin 324 at respective opposite ends of the pin 324.
  • the adjustable pivot axis 142 is adjustable relative to the main pivot axis 132 over a range of adjustment 330, defined in the illustrative embodiment by the uppermost and lowermost vertical position of the load adjustment nut 310, as shown in Fig. 32 .
  • the vertical movement of the load adjustment nut 310 adjusts the load capacity of the load balancing arm 500.
  • the distance between the adjustable pivot axis 142 of the pin 324 and the main pivot axis 132 of the proximal hub 104 provides the mechanical advantage, or moment, that allows the load balancing arm 500 to balance a medical device load 36 at the distal end 152 of the arm 500.
  • the laterally spaced pins 240 split the main pivot axis 132 thereby enabling the adjustable bearing element 108 to be moved vertically across the main pivot axis 132 into a position between the laterally spaced pins 240. Accordingly, the adjustable bearing element 108 and the proximal ends 160 of the respective pair of links 124, 126 are movable between the pair of pins 240 over a portion of the range of adjustment 330. As will be appreciated, this provides greater adjustment range in the proximal ends 160 of the links 124, 126 pivotably mounted to the pin 324 of the adjustable bearing element 108 than if the pins 240 were a single pin member and the main pivot axis 132 was not split.
  • the adjustable pivot axis 142 of the adjustable bearing element 108 and the main pivot axis 132 of the main bearing element 130 are horizontally offset the same distance from the axis 296 of rotation of the load balancing arm 500 extending centrally through the support structure 24.
  • the support arm 110 includes an intermediate portion 340 between the proximal end 150 and distal end 152 of the support arm 110.
  • the intermediate portion 340 has a relatively narrower height span than the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110.
  • the links 124, 126 (only link 124 is in view in Figs. 34-36 ) have at least one bend that corresponds to the difference in height span between the intermediate portion 340 and the circular portion 178 of the proximal end 150 of the support arm 110.
  • the links 124, 126 have one bend and consequently have a J-shape in side view.
  • the bend in the links 124, 126 aids in the load balancing arm 500 having a smaller size and lower overall cross section profile than if the links 124, 126 were straight.
  • the smaller size and lower overall cross section profile make the load balancing arm 500 less obstructive in the operating room and improve the laminar airflow around the surface of the load balancing arm 100.
  • the distal ends 162 of the links 124, 126 are pivotably mounted to the distal end 158 of the spring 116 via a carriage slide 364 that is slidable relative to the support arm 110.
  • the pivotable connection may be facilitated by, for example, a pin 360 mounted within the carriage slide 384.
  • the carriage slide 364 is slidable within at least one groove 368 in the support arm 110, wherein in the illustrative embodiment there are two such grooves 368 at laterally opposite sides of the support arm 110.
  • the grooves 368 are oriented along an axis that extends radially from and perpendicular to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the grooves 368 are formed by parallel ribs 370 in the inward facing walls of the support arm 110.
  • the ribs 370 along with a horizontal cross beam in the bottom portion of the support arm 110, also serve as stiffening members.
  • the spring 116 of the load balancing arm 500 may be any type of counterbalancing member, and in the illustrative embodiment is a compression gas spring 116. Like the grooves 368, the spring 116 is oriented along an axis that extends radially from and perpendicular to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the spring 116 has a cylinder 384 and a rod 388. Referring to Figs. 22 , 24 , 27 and 32 , the cylinder 384 has a proximal end wall 390 that is coupled to a vertical beam 392 of the support arm 110. As shown in Fig.
  • the vertical beam 392 extends from a top wall 406 to a bottom wall 408 of the support arm 110 and is sufficiently narrow that the links 124, 126 straddle the vertical beam 392 on opposite lateral sides thereof throughout the pivotable range of the load balancing arm 500.
  • the proximal end wall 390 of the cylinder 384 may be coupled to the vertical beam 392 in any suitable manner, for example as by a protrusion 418, shown in Fig. 32 , that fits within an opening 420 in the vertical beam 392, shown in Figs. 24 and 25 .
  • the rod 388 is pivotably mounted to the distal ends 162 of the links 124, 126 via the pin 360 of the afore described carriage slide 364. In operation, the links 124, 126 straddle the spring 116 on laterally opposite sides of the spring 116 throughout the pivotable range of the load balancing arm 500.
  • Figs. 21 , 23-25 , 28 and 37-38 show detail of the distal hub 510 of the load balancing arm 500.
  • the distal hub 510 is pivotably connected to the distal end 152 of the support arm 110 via a pair of laterally spaced pins 540 held in flanges of a vertical block 544 of the distal hub 510.
  • the vertical block 544 can be fixedly connected to a pair of vertically oriented side walls 548 of the distal hub 510 in a similar manner that the load adjustment base 530 is connected to the side walls 188 of the proximal hub 104.
  • the distal end 152 of the support arm 110 can include laterally spaced protrusions 566 that pivotably connect to the respective laterally spaced pins 540 in a similar manner that the proximal end protrusions 170 pivotably connect to the laterally spaced pins 240 of the proximal hub 104.
  • Figs. 22 , 25 , 27-32 and 34-38 show detail of the parallel link 520 of the load balancing arm 500.
  • the illustrative parallel link 520 is a single U-shape link with two vertically oriented laterally spaced parallel side walls 564 and a lower bridge member 568 connecting the bottom edges of the side walls 564. It will be appreciated that the parallel link 520 may comprise two parallel links in the form of the two parallel side walls 564 with the lower bridge member 568 omitted. Referring to Figs.
  • the parallel link 520 is made up of two pieces, a U-shape stainless steel member 570 and a pair of relatively harder stainless steel side braces 572 tack welded to the U-shape stainless steel member 570.
  • the parallel link 520 is pivotably connected at its proximal end 580 to a pin 582 supported by the load adjustment base 530 of the proximal hub 104 and at its distal end 586 to a pin 588 supported by the vertical block 544 of the distal hub 510.
  • the split main pivot axis 132 i.e. the laterally spaced pins 240
  • the split pivot axis 590 i.e. the laterally spaced pins 540
  • the pin 582 is oriented vertically below the pins 240 a distance 600 and the pin 588 is oriented vertically below the pins 540 by the same distance 600. Also, the horizontal distance between the pins 540 and the pins 240 at opposite ends of the support arm 110 is equal to the horizontal distance between the pin 588 and the pin 582 at opposite ends of the parallel link 520.
  • a parallelogram is formed by the structure of the support arm 110 between the pins 540 and the pins 240, the portion of the load adjustment base 530 between the pins 240 and the pin 582, the parallel link 520 between the pin 582 and the pin 588, and the portion of the vertical block 544 between the pin 588 and the pins 540.
  • the vertically aligned pins 540, 588 at the distal end 152 remain parallel to the vertically aligned pins 240, 582 at the proximal end 150 throughout the pivotable range of the load balancing arm 500 about the main pivot axis 132. This permits a medical device load 36 such as a monitor to remain properly oriented regardless of its vertical displacement from the ceiling of the operating room.
  • the side walls 564 of the parallel link 520 straddle the vertically lower portion of the gas spring 116 on laterally opposite sides thereof.
  • the side walls 564 also straddle the links 124, 126 on laterally opposite sides of the links 124, 126 over at least a portion of the pivotable range of the load adjustment arm 500, particularly when the adjustable bearing element 108 is in lower positions as shown in Fig. 24 .
  • Figs. 34-36 show the load balancing arm 500 in three different vertical positions
  • Figs. 37 and 38 show the parallel link 520 and the distal end 152 of the support arm 110 relative to the distal hub 510 in the respective uppermost and lowermost vertical positions.
  • the links 124, 126 are shown adjusted to their maximum height in Figs. 34-36 , thereby maximizing the moment, or mechanical advantage, of the load balancing arm 500.
  • the support arm 110 is in a substantially horizontal position.
  • Figs. 35 and 37 the support arm 110 is shown pivoted about the main pivot axis 132 about 40 degrees upward relative to horizontal.
  • Figs. 34-36 show the load balancing arm 500 in three different vertical positions
  • Figs. 37 and 38 show the parallel link 520 and the distal end 152 of the support arm 110 relative to the distal hub 510 in the respective uppermost and lowermost vertical positions.
  • the links 124, 126 are shown adjusted to their maximum height in Figs. 34-36 ,
  • the support arm 110 is shown pivoted about the main pivot axis 132 about 40 degrees downward from horizontal. As will be appreciated, then, the support arm 110 has an angle of rotation about the main pivot axis 132 of about 40 degrees upward from horizontal to about 40 degrees downward from horizontal.
  • Figs. 39-45 show a load adjustment base 600 and an adjustable bearing element 602 according to another embodiment of the invention.
  • the load adjustment base 600 and adjustable bearing element 602 are in many respects similar to the above-referenced load adjustment bases 196, 530 and adjustable bearing elements 108 shown for example in Figs. 12-14 , 20 , 26 and 31-33 , and consequently the same reference numerals are used in Figs. 39-45 to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the load adjustment bases 196, 530 and adjustable bearing elements 108.
  • the foregoing description of the load adjustment bases 196, 530 and adjustable bearing elements 108 is equally applicable to the load adjustment base 600 and the adjustable bearing element 602 except as noted below.
  • load adjustment bases 196, 530, 600 may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable, and aspects of the adjustable bearing elements 108, 602 may be substituted for one another or used in conjunction with one another where applicable.
  • the load adjustment base 600 and the adjustable bearing element 602 are configured to enable a specific range of adjustment of the adjustable pivot axis 142 of the adjustable bearing element 108 relative to the main pivot axis 132 of the proximal hub 104.
  • a pair of socket head cap screws 610, 612 are provided in respective threaded openings in a rear wall 624 of the load adjustment base 600.
  • Figs. 40 , 42 and 44 a pair of socket head cap screws 610, 612 are provided in respective threaded openings in a rear wall 624 of the load adjustment base 600.
  • the centers of the screws 610, 612 are laterally spaced apart a distance X in a direction parallel to the main pivot axis 132, and vertically spaced apart a distance Y in a direction perpendicular to the main pivot axis 132.
  • a pair of vertically extending slots 640, 642 are provided in a load adjustment nut 650 of the adjustable bearing element 602.
  • the lateral spacing between the vertically extending slots 640, 642 is equal to the lateral spacing Y between the centers of the screws 610, 612.
  • the screws 610, 612 and slots 640, 642 are on laterally opposite sides of the central axis 290 of the load adjustment screw 280.
  • the tips 660, 662 of the respective socket head cap screws 610, 612 protrude forward from the rear wall 624 and are sized to fit within the respective slots 640, 642.
  • One slot 640 has a lower abutment wall 670 and opens upward at a top surface 674 of the load adjustment nut 650 to define a vertical entranceway 680 for the screw 610.
  • the other slot 642 has an upper abutment wall 672 and opens downward at a bottom surface 676 of the load adjustment nut 650 to define a vertical entranceway 682 for the screw 612.
  • the lower and upper abutment walls 670, 672 of the load adjustment nut 650 define the respective upper and lower limits on the range of adjustment of the load adjustment nut 650, and thus, in reference to Figs.
  • the adjustable pivot axis 142 moves vertically up and down relative to the main pivot axis 132 bound by the respective upper and lower limits on the adjustment range provided by the abutment walls 670, 672 of the load adjustment nut 650.
  • Figs. 43 and 44 show an example of the lower limit.
  • the upper abutment wall 672 of slot 642 eventually abuts the tip 662 of the socket head cap screw 612 thereby preventing further downward movement of the load adjustment nut 650.
  • the Figs. 39-45 embodiment enables a specific range of adjustment of the adjustable pivot axis 142 relative to the main pivot axis 132.
  • the range of adjustment can be changed without having to change the structure of the load adjustment base 600.
  • the lower abutment location, L is vertically above the topmost portions of the diameters of the openings 690 that accommodate the laterally spaced pins 240 that form the main bearing element 130 (see Figs. 12 and 31 ) that defines the main pivot axis 132.
  • the quantity of socket head cap screws 610, 612 and corresponding quantity of slots 640, 642 need not be limited to two as shown.
  • a second pair of socket head cap screws and a second pair of slots further laterally spaced apart than the first pair of socket head cap screws 610, 612 and the first pair of slots 640, 642, for a total of four socket head cap screws and four slots, can be provided, where the second pair of socket head cap screws and second pair of slots define a different upper and lower limit on the range of adjustment than that of the first pair of socket head cap screws 610, 612 and first pair of slots 640, 642.
  • the rear wall 624 of the load adjustment base 600 may include a plurality of vertically staggered threaded openings to allow the vertical height of the screws 610, 612 to be changed, thus allowing the corresponding range of adjustment of the adjustable pivot axis 142 relative to the main pivot axis 132 to be changed.
  • either the upper adjustment limit mechanism 610, 640, 670 or the lower adjustment limit mechanism 612, 642, 672 may be omitted and a different limit mechanism substituted therefor; for example, substituting a top wall of the load adjustment base 196, 530 or an end-of-thread of the load adjustment screw 280 for the upper adjustment limit mechanism 610, 640, 670, and/or substituting the bottom wall 284 of the load adjustment base 196, 530 for the lower adjustment limit mechanism 612, 642, 672.
  • Other combinations are also contemplated.
  • protruding elements other than socket head cap screws 610, 612 may be used to fit within the slots 640, 642 to act as limits to the respective abutment walls 670, 672 of the adjustable bearing element 602.
  • socket head cap screws 610, 612 may be inserted in respective threaded openings in the rear wall 624 of the load adjustment base 600, clips may be inserted through respective through holes in the rear wall 624, wherein the tips of the clips act as the limits to the respective abutment walls 670, 672.

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Claims (14)

  1. Lastausgleichsarm (100) für ein Stützsystem eines Medizinprodukts, umfassend:
    eine proximale Nabe (22), die ein Hauptlagerelement (130) beinhaltet, das eine Hauptschwenkachse (132) definiert;
    ein einstellbares Lagerelement (108), das eine einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) definiert, wobei die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) relativ zu der Hauptschwenkachse (132) einstellbar ist;
    einen Stützarm (110), der ein proximales Ende (150) und ein distales Ende (152) aufweist, wobei das distale Ende (152) konfiguriert ist, um eine Medizinproduktlast zu stützen, und das proximale Ende (150) für eine schwenkbare Bewegung um die Hauptschwenkachse (132) schwenkbar an dem Hauptlagerelement (130) angebracht ist;
    eine Feder (116), die sich innerhalb eines Hohlraums (154) des Stützarms (110) erstreckt und ein proximales Ende (390) und ein distales Ende (158) aufweist, wobei das proximale Ende (390) der Feder (116) an das proximale Ende (150) des Stützarms (110) gekoppelt ist und wobei die Feder (116) angebracht ist, um eine Vorspannkraft zwischen der Hauptschwenkachse (132) der proximalen Nabe (22) und dem distalen Ende (158) der Feder (116) auszuüben; und
    mindestens ein Verbindungsglied (124, 126), das ein proximales Ende (160), das für eine schwenkbare Bewegung um die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) schwenkbar an dem einstellbaren Lagerelement (108) angebracht ist, und ein distales Ende (162), das schwenkbar an dem distalen Ende (158) der Feder (116) angebracht ist, aufweist, sodass die durch die Feder (116) ausgeübte Vorspannkraft durch das Verbindungsglied (124, 126) auf das einstellbare Lagerelement (108) übertragen wird, um dadurch ein Moment um die Hauptschwenkachse (132) der proximalen Nabe (22) zu erzeugen, das einem Moment entgegenwirkt, das durch die Medizinproduktlast am distalen Ende (152) des Stützarms (110) erzeugt wird.
  2. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das distale Ende (162) des Verbindungsglieds (124, 126) über einen Gleitschlitten (364), der relativ zu dem Stützarm (110) verschiebbar ist, schwenkbar an dem distalen Ende (158) der Feder (116) angebracht ist.
  3. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach Anspruch 2, wobei der Gleitschlitten (364) innerhalb mindestens einer Nut (368) in dem Stützarm (110) verschiebbar ist oder
    wobei die Nut (368) entlang einer Achse ausgerichtet ist, die sich radial von und senkrecht zu der Hauptschwenkachse (132) erstreckt, oder
    wobei die Feder (116) eine Gasfeder mit einem Zylinder und einer Stange ist und die Stange schwenkbar an dem distalen Ende (162) des mindestens einen Verbindungsglieds (124, 126) angebracht ist oder
    wobei das mindestens eine Verbindungsglied (124, 126) ein Paar von Verbindungsgliedern (124, 126) umfasst, das die Feder (116) auf seitlich gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Feder (116) überspannt.
  4. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-3, wobei der Stützarm (110) einen Zwischenabschnitt (340) zwischen dem proximalen Ende (150) und dem distalen Ende (152) des Stützarms (110) umfasst und der Zwischenabschnitt (340) eine relativ schmalere Höhenspanne aufweist als das proximale Ende (150) des Stützarms (110) und wobei das mindestens eine Verbindungsglied (124, 126) mindestens eine Biegung aufweist, die dem Unterschied der Höhenspanne zwischen dem Zwischenabschnitt (340) und dem proximalen Ende (150) des Stützarms (110) entspricht.
  5. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-4, ferner umfassend eine Lasteinstellschraube (280), und wobei das einstellbare Lagerelement (108) eine Lasteinstellmutter (310) beinhaltet, die mit der Lasteinstellschraube (280) in Gewindeeingriff tritt, um die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) relativ zu der Hauptschwenkachse (132) einzustellen.
  6. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach Anspruch 5,
    wobei die Lasteinstellschraube (280) in der proximalen Nabe (22) vertikal ausgerichtet ist und an mindestens einem Ende zur Drehung um ihre eigene Mittelachse drehbar angebracht ist und die Lasteinstellmutter (310) konfiguriert ist, um sich in der vertikalen Richtung zu bewegen, wenn die Einstellschraube (280) gedreht wird, und die vertikale Bewegung der Lasteinstellmutter (310) die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) relativ zu der Hauptschwenkachse (132) einstellt, oder
    wobei das einstellbare Lagerelement (108) einen Stift beinhaltet, der durch die Lasteinstellmutter (310) getragen wird, und wobei das proximale Ende (160) des Verbindungsglieds (124, 126) schwenkbar an dem Stift angebracht ist.
  7. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach Anspruch 6, wobei die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) zwischen einem oberen und einem unteren Anschlagkontakt (670, 672), die durch die proximale Nabe (22) definiert sind, einstellbar ist, wobei der untere Anschlagkontakt (670) oberhalb eines Durchmessers des Stifts liegt, oder
    wobei das mindestens eine Verbindungsglied (124, 126) ein Paar von Verbindungsgliedern (124, 126) umfasst und das Paar von Verbindungsgliedern (124, 126) schwenkbar an dem Stift angebracht ist.
  8. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-7, wobei das Hauptlagerelement (130) ein Paar von Stiften (240) beinhaltet und das proximale Ende (150) des Stützarms (110) ein Paar von seitlich beabstandeten Vorsprüngen beinhaltet, das schwenkbar an den jeweiligen Stiften (240) angebracht ist, um die Höhe der Medizinproduktlast am distalen Ende (152) des Stützarms (110) anzuheben und abzusenken.
  9. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-8, wobei die Feder (116) entlang einer Achse ausgerichtet ist, die sich radial von und senkrecht zu der Hauptschwenkachse (132) erstreckt.
  10. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 8-9, wobei die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) relativ zu der Hauptschwenkachse (132) über einen Einstellbereich einstellbar ist und das einstellbare Lagerelement (108) und das proximale Ende (160) des mindestens einen Verbindungsglieds (124, 126) zwischen dem Paar von Stiften (240) über mindestens einen Teil des Einstellbereichs bewegbar sind.
  11. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-10, wobei das mindestens eine Verbindungsglied (124, 126) ein Paar von Verbindungsgliedern (124, 126) umfasst und die proximalen Enden (160) des jeweiligen Paars von Verbindungsgliedern (124, 126) schwenkbar an dem einstellbaren Lagerelement (108) angebracht sind,
    wobei die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) relativ zu der Hauptschwenkachse (132) über einen Einstellbereich einstellbar ist und das einstellbare Lagerelement (108) und die proximalen Enden (160) des jeweiligen Paars von Verbindungsgliedern (124, 126) zwischen dem Paar von Stiften (240) über mindestens einen Teil des Einstellbereichs bewegbar sind.
  12. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-11, wobei der Stützarm (110) einen Drehwinkel um die Hauptschwenkachse (132) von etwa 30 Grad von der Horizontalen nach oben bis etwa 85 Grad von der Horizontalen nach unten aufweist oder
    wobei die einstellbare Schwenkachse (142) von der Hauptschwenkachse (132) in einer Richtung zu einer Drehachse des Lastausgleichsarms (100) horizontal versetzt ist.
  13. Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 1-12, ferner umfassend ein paralleles Verbindungsglied, das an seinem proximalen Ende schwenkbar mit einem durch die proximale Nabe (22) gestützten Stift und an seinem distalen Ende mit einem Stift verbunden ist, der durch eine distale Nabe gestützt ist, die schwenkbar mit dem distalen Ende (152) des Stützarms (110) verbunden ist, und
    wobei das parallele Verbindungsglied ein Paar von seitlich beabstandeten Seitenwänden beinhaltet, das einen vertikal unteren Abschnitt der Feder auf seitlich gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Feder (116) überspannt, und/oder
    wobei das parallele Verbindungsglied ein Paar von seitlich beabstandeten Seitenwänden beinhaltet, das das mindestens eine Verbindungsglied (124, 126) auf seitlich gegenüberliegenden Seiten des mindestens einen Verbindungsglieds (124, 126) über mindestens einen Teil eines schwenkbaren Bereichs des Lasteinstellarms überspannt.
  14. Stützsystem eines Medizinprodukts, umfassend:
    eine zentrale Welle;
    einen Verlängerungsarm, der für eine Drehbewegung um die Welle an der zentralen Welle angebracht ist; und
    einen Lastausgleichsarm (100) nach Anspruch 1, der an dem Verlängerungsarm angebracht ist.
EP19835337.7A 2019-01-31 2019-12-04 Lastausgleichsarm für ein stützsystem eines medizinprodukts Active EP3917439B1 (de)

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EP19828423.4A Active EP3917438B1 (de) 2019-01-31 2019-12-04 Tragarm für ein trägersystem für medizinische vorrichtungen
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AU2020253451B2 (en) * 2019-04-02 2024-06-20 American Sterilizer Company Lighting assemblies for medical device suspension system

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AU2024278558B2 (en) 2025-04-24
AU2019426889A1 (en) 2021-07-22
US20230105016A1 (en) 2023-04-06
ES2932008T3 (es) 2023-01-09
AU2019426840A1 (en) 2021-07-22
AU2019426889B2 (en) 2024-10-31
US20200246108A1 (en) 2020-08-06
EP3917439A1 (de) 2021-12-08
WO2020159617A1 (en) 2020-08-06
WO2020159616A1 (en) 2020-08-06
US11547522B2 (en) 2023-01-10
EP3917440A1 (de) 2021-12-08
AU2019427293A1 (en) 2021-07-22
US11730563B2 (en) 2023-08-22
ES2932010T3 (es) 2023-01-09
AU2024278558A1 (en) 2025-01-09
US20200246107A1 (en) 2020-08-06
CA3128150A1 (en) 2020-08-06
US10874477B2 (en) 2020-12-29
CA3128339A1 (en) 2020-08-06
AU2019427497A1 (en) 2021-07-22
US11666412B2 (en) 2023-06-06
AU2019427293B2 (en) 2025-03-13
WO2020159618A1 (en) 2020-08-06
AU2019426840B2 (en) 2025-03-06
EP3917437A1 (de) 2021-12-08
US20200246110A1 (en) 2020-08-06
MX2021008282A (es) 2022-01-04
CA3127035A1 (en) 2020-08-06
CA3128340A1 (en) 2020-08-06
MX2021008458A (es) 2021-08-19
EP3917440B1 (de) 2024-01-31
AU2019427497B2 (en) 2024-01-25
US20200246109A1 (en) 2020-08-06
EP3917438B1 (de) 2022-10-12
EP3917438A1 (de) 2021-12-08

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